My friend does not speak English. So I ask the question for him.
He bought this week-end this german model in a flea market in Bergium. He thinks that it is an original model. I do not agree with him. I think that this model has not been made during the WWII. I am not an expert
If it is an original model.... WAOUUUUUUU
And you what are you opinions. Fake engraves or not ?
mail to
petchi@tele2.fr
@Atame: don't forget that collaborators in occupied countries also used the swastika among other germanic symbols (for instance: Dutch collaborators used the wolfshook), to show wich side they where on. Handcuffs like these could have could been in service with a pro-nazi French police unit.
This doesn't conform with the way I've seen most government equipment to be marked. It's usually marked, either as an acceptance stamp, or to demonstrate ownership (i.e. to discourage theft). The deathsheads, swasticas, etc don't do that. In the case of civilian police departments, the stuff has already been acquired and probably has all the markings deemed necessary, usually department initials. And there would be little reason to change that with a new regime. Inertia and all that.
They appear to be a little over the top for me, making me suspect. The markings on the DDR cuffs are clearly over the top. It looks like the person who marked them thought that if one was good, three were better. The swastica on the La Maisonnettes is rather ornate. Thet would be an expensive stamp to make. I don't know if that indicates it's more real or more fake. [SHRUG]
For political demonstrations, units are more likely to adopt shoulder patches, medallions, stuff that can be seen by the occupiers you are trying to suck up to. They're less likely to notice if you put the Fuerher's picture on your pocketknife.
